Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Breathing Through (Over & Around!) Life's Obstacles


Like many yogis, I find it challenging to keep up my practise and peace of mind when life throws obstacles in my way. For some of you the obstacle might be more hours at the office that conflict with a favourite class at the local yoga studio. For others it might be an illness or injury that prevents you from practising as you like.

Sometimes life's obstacles even place themselves into the path of my regularly scheduled yoga teaching. In October, a sudden and unexpected sandstorm forced me to cancel a beautiful full moon beach yoga session I had so badly wanted to teach.

My most recent obstacle is business that has taken me to the other side of the world from Dubai, UAE all the way to Arizona, USA. I was meant to be here for 3 weeks and I've just learned that my stay will be a total of 6 weeks. This is when I have to remind myself to breathe. I prefer to be in Dubai with my family and teach the sunrise beach yoga on Saturday mornings and the evening Hatha Flow & Yin Yoga classes during the week.

One mantra that I repeat silently to myself when faced with life's immovable obstacles is: "Release everything over which I have no control."

During the holiday season when unexpected obstacles are dropped in your path, take time to breathe and perhaps repeat the mantra a few times to help you to return to a place of peace and acceptance.
Due to my absence, FoYD classes are paused from 1 December 2012 - 15 January 2013
I wish you all a peaceful holiday season and I hope to see you in class and on your mats in 2013.